Salary : $82,344.00 - $146,784.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Tumwater, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: WMS 26-13
Department: Dept. of Labor & Industries
Division: Division of Labor Standards - Employment Standards
Opening Date: 07/20/2026
Closing Date: 8/2/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
L&I's Employment Standards Special Programs in the Division of Labor Standards (DLS) administers and enforces a broad portfolio of specialized labor protections that keep Washington workers safe, fairly paid, and treated with dignity on the job. This includes Hospital Staffing, Hospital Meal and Rest Breaks and Overtime Protections, Child Labor, Farm Labor Contracting, Pregnancy Accommodations, Transportation Network Companies, Protected Leave, Isolated Worker, Adult Entertainer, and Warehouse Worker/Quotas standards.

We're looking for an experienced, strategic leader to serve as our Employment Standards Special Programs Manager. Reporting to the Deputy Assistant Director of DLS, this position leads a team of 48 FTEs and oversees an $11.2 million biennial operating budget, directing statewide policy development, rulemaking, legislative activity, and compliance enforcement across this full range of programs. This role also carries lead responsibility for implementing Engrossed Second Substitute Bill 5217 (ESSB 5217).

If you're an executive-level leader who thrives on translating complex labor law into clear statewide policy, building high-performing teams, and navigating high-stakes, high-visibility decisions - this could be your next career move.

This position is based in a traditional office environment, working a standard Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. schedule. Teleworking is available in accordance with agency policy and operational needs, and occasional evening or weekend work may be required to meet business demands. Occasional travel to field offices and other locations for meetings and consultations is required.

Duties
As the Employment Standards Special Programs Manager, you will:

• Provide day-to-day leadership and direct the operations of the Employment Standards Special Programs team, ensuring service delivery aligns with agency policy and applicable law.
• Oversee statewide administration and enforcement of Hospital Staffing, Hospital Meal and Rest Breaks and Overtime Protections, Child Labor, Farm Labor Contracting, Pregnancy Accommodations, Transportation Network Companies, Protected Leave, Isolated Worker, Adult Entertainer, and Warehouse Worker/Quotas programs.
• Recommend legal actions, request legal advisory support, and develop and propose department-sponsored legislation, including review of and commentary on externally proposed legislation.
• Direct rule promulgation, training, technical support, and policy development for programs statewide.
• Make final decisions on the issuance of labor violation determinations (Notices of Assessment and Determinations of Compliance) and facilitate resolution through mediation and negotiation.
• Manage human resources, budget, and operational functions for program staff, including recruitment, classification, training, performance management, and - when necessary - disciplinary action.
• Develop and recommend the biennial budget and monitor implementation of adopted budgets, including a $2 million biennial budget for Attorney General legal costs.
• Serve as a key public affairs contact, building and maintaining relationships with media, stakeholders, appointed boards and committees, and public and private officials.
• Lead highly sensitive, political, or controversial projects and programs on behalf of the division.
• And much more!

Qualifications
REQUIRED:

• Graduation from a four-year college or university with a major in public or business administration, or a closely related field. Additional qualifying experience substitutes for education at a rate of one year of experience per year of education.
• Demonstrated competency in L&I's core areas, these are:

L&I Core Competencies:

• Safety - Understands and is fully committed to creating and maintaining a positive safety culture by behaving safely.
• Customer-Centered Actions - Focused on understanding and meeting customers' needs.
• Treats Others With Respect and Courtesy - Respects and values others at all times.
• Accountability and Dependability - Acts within guidelines and accomplishes job assignments; accepts personal responsibility. Performs duties in a way that reflects public service accountability.
• Managing For Results - Establishes and communicates mission-centered performance expectations, monitors outcomes, assesses progress, and takes action.
• Leadership - Commits to the agency mission. Plans, takes charge, and inspires people through example. Uses standard work and visual management. Observes and responds to visual measures with problem solving coaching, needed tools and resources, and removal of barriers.
• Communication - Conveys clear, concise, timely and persuasive messages that positively influence thoughts and actions of others.
• Relationship Building - Builds and maintains effective working relationships characterized by openness, honesty, mutual respect, shared commitment, and clear responsibility.
• People Management - Maximizes employee talents and success in order to achieve agency goals.

DESIRED:

• At least four years of progressively responsible experience managing and administering a government program, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Strong understanding of state and federal labor law, with experience in negotiation and mediation related to compliance activities.
• Experience with or knowledge of the legislative process, including reviewing, advising on, and implementing legislation.
• Familiarity with state government operations, risk management, personnel management, policy development, budget administration, and rule development.
• Skill in managing and leading teams, developing and monitoring budgets, facilitating group meetings, and solving complex operational problems.

Ability to:

Plan, integrate, and direct a broad range of complex state agency services and programs; define complex public policy, management and operational issues; perform complex analyses and research; evaluate alternatives and develop sound conclusions and recommendations; present proposals and recommendations clearly and logically in public meetings; understand, interpret, explain, and apply state and federal laws and regulations governing the conduct of program operations; evaluate, develop, and implement management systems, policies, and controls; exercise expert, independent judgment within general policy guidelines; prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive correspondence, reports and other written materials; establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders, all levels of agency management, other governmental officials, community and civic organizations, employee organizations, employees, the media and the public; exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with highly sensitive political, public policy, community, and employee issues and situation.
Other Competencies:

• Understanding of Federal requirements concerning labor laws (US Department of Labor)
• Communicate effectively
• Support, coach, mentor, and train agency workforce
• Conduct public presentations, strategic planning, constituency contacts, and service
• Analyze statistical and budget information
• Interpret statutes, rules, and policies
• Assimilate and apply information to timely problem-solving and decision making
• Ability to delegate tasks and responsibilities
• Ability to represent the agency on labor law issues
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Managerial/Supervisory experience
• Understanding of Federal requirements (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
• Strategic organizational planning
• Performance management
• Federal and state budgeting process
• Statistical analysis
• Human resource management

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
This position has direct access to credit, criminal history, and financial information and requires successful completion of a background check. Applicants, employees, and volunteers in positions with this designation may not hold the role if they have a conviction for certain crimes against property, government, or people, as outlined in Employee Policy 3.02's Background Check Guidance.

Bring your leadership, legal and technical expertise, and passion for workers' rights to L&I!

Apply today and help us protect Washington's workforce.

Research suggests that women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they are confident they meet 100% of the listed qualifications. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, and allow us to evaluate your combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities demonstrated using an intentional equity lens.

What We're Looking For
We're looking for a candidate who brings a balance of executive leadership, legal/technical judgment, and people skills. Specifically, you'll need to be able to:

• Interpret and apply complex state and federal labor laws and regulations with sound, independent judgment.
• Lead and develop a large, geographically dispersed team, including setting performance expectations and coaching for improvement.
• Develop and manage complex program budgets independently.
• Navigate legislative processes, including reviewing, advising on, and implementing current and proposed legislation.
• Communicate clearly and persuasively, in writing and verbally, with audiences ranging from field staff to executive leadership and the media.
• Exercise tact and diplomacy in highly sensitive political, public policy, and employee matters.
• Analyze statistical and budget data to produce meaningful, actionable insights.
• Negotiate and mediate disputes to reach fair, defensible resolutions.

Supplemental Information
Things You Need To Know

State employees who meet the qualifications will become eligible for a generous retirement package at the end of the employee's career. Click on the "Benefits" tab to learn more.

Application process

We will contact the top candidates directly to interview for this position. Because we base the selection on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities that address the mandatory and desirable qualifications described in the announcement.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. A describing specific qualifications.
2. A current detailing applicable experience and education.
3. A list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

• For certain positions requiring travel, you must have a valid unrestricted driver's license and have insurance if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
• Candidates who are offered a job with L&I must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.
• The Department of Labor & Industries complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal employment eligibility verification form, I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.
• Please note: L&I may use this announcement to fill multiple permanent and/or non-permanent positions.

Did You Know?

Washington is to live, play, and work, according to U.S. News (2021). Join the L&I team and enjoy all the Evergreen State has to offer.

In addition to offering a positive balance between life and work, L&I provides one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We also believe your voice matters. We value our employees and their work-life balance by encouraging flexible schedules. L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington's 3 million workers.